Lantern, The Deluxe - by Deborah Lawrenson (Paperback)

About the Book

Set in the lush countryside of Provence, Deborah Lawrenson s The Lantern is an atmospheric modern gothic tale of love, suspicion, and murder, in the tradition of Daphne du Maurier'sRebecca. Drawn to a wealthy older man, Eve embarks on a whirlwind romance that soon offers a new life and a new home Les Genevriers, a charming hamlet amid the fragrant lavender fields of Provence. But Eve finds it impossible to ignore the mysteries that haunt both her lover and the run-down old house. The more reluctant Dom is to tell her about his past, the more she is drawn to it and to the mysterious disappearance of his beautiful ex-wife. An evocative tale of romantic and psychological suspense, The Lantern masterfully melds past and present, secrets and lies, appearances and disappearances along with our age-old fear of the dark."

Book Synopsis

"A whirlwind love affair, a wife who dies under mysterious circumstances, and a string of murder--and ghosts!--all set in a crumbling countryside estate in Provence. This haunting tale is everything you could want in a Gothic mystery that doesn't also include a heroine named Jane Eyre." -- Redbook

Set in the lush countryside of Provence, Deborah Lawrenson's The Lantern is an atmospheric modern gothic tale of love, suspicion, and murder, in the tradition of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca.

Drawn to a confident and artistic wealthy older man she barely knows, bookish Eve recklessly embarks on a whirlwind affair that soon offers a new life and a new home--Les Genévriers, a charming yet decaying hamlet nestled amid the fragrant lavender fields of Provence.

But with autumn's arrival the days begin to cool--and so, too, does Dom. Though Eve knows he bears the emotional scars of a failed marriage--which he refuses to talk about--his silence arouses suspicion and uncertainty. And, like its owner, Les Genévriers is also changing. Bright, warm rooms have turned cold and uninviting; shadows now fall unexpectedly; and Eve senses a presence moving through the garden. Is it a ghost from the past--or a manifestation of her current troubles with Dom? Can she trust Dom--or could her life truly be in danger?

An evocative tale of romantic and psychological suspense, The Lantern masterfully melds past and present, secrets and lies, appearances and disappearances--along with our age-old fear of the dark.

From the Back Cover

Drawn to a confident and artistic wealthy older man she barely knows, bookish Eve recklessly embarks on a whirlwind affair that soon offers a new life and a new home--Les Genévriers, a charming yet decaying hamlet nestled amid the fragrant lavender fields of Provence.

But with autumn's arrival the days begin to cool--and so, too, does Dom. Though Eve knows he bears the emotional scars of a failed marriage--which he refuses to talk about--his silence arouses suspicion and uncertainty. And, like its owner, Les Genévriers is also changing. Bright, warm rooms have turned cold and uninviting; shadows now fall unexpectedly; and Eve senses a presence moving through the garden. Is it a ghost from the past--or a manifestation of her current troubles with Dom? Can she trust Dom--or could her life truly be in danger?

Review Quotes

"The Lantern is a smart, gothic, bodice ripper that transcends the genre, thanks . . . to Lawrenson's gift for bringing the senses to life." -- People (3 1/2 stars)

"Deborah Lawrenson's new novel, a modern Gothic tale set in the lavender-scented landscape of Provence, serves up an escapist mix of mystery, romance and murder." -- Wall Street Journal

"I absolutely adored this beautifully written, modern Gothic novel, set in Provence, full of scents, colors and mystery. Reminiscent of Daphne du Maurier's classic, Rebecca, The Lantern will hook you in from the start and weave its dark, lush magic around you." -- Tatiana de Rosnay, author of Sarah's Key and A Secret Kept

"Sensuous.... Lawrenson's poetic prose vibrantly conjures up both the beauty of southern France and the ghosts, real or imagined, from different eras. B+" -- Entertainment Weekly

"With The Lantern, Deborah Lawrenson delivers a feast of sights, sounds and smells that grow and change and linger, like a wonderfully complex perfume. I was captivated by this marvelous, haunting book--at times vivid and lush, at times provocative and chilling." -- Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain

"A seductive mixture of a Gothic ghost story and a modern romance. . . . If the story doesn't keep you up all night reading, the sharp and beautiful descriptions of the South of France will. Deborah Lawrenson has written an alluring, dark novel that will haunt you and leave you wanting more." -- Danielle Trussoni, author of Angelology

"A luscious mix of romance and gothic ghost story." -- O, The Oprah Magazine

"Deborah Lawrenson is a master of mood and shadow as she spins this absorbing tale of intense passion and growing dread. Her Provence is sumptuous and forbidding and utterly real. Prepare to be riveted." -- Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife